The sudden closure of a bunch of medical facilities primarily based out of Quincy is popping heads at prime ranges of state authorities, with the Healey administration saying they’re “concerned” by Compass Medical’s choice to shutter all of its services in Massachusetts.
Compass Medical, which has 450 staff within the state, introduced an “imminent plan” to shut all of its services in a press release posted to its web site Wednesday that left many scratching their heads. It comes after the corporate misplaced a lawsuit to a Dallas-based physicians group, costing them tens of millions.
At an unrelated press convention contained in the State House Thursday, Gov. Maura Healey stated anytime somebody’s entry to well being care is interfered with, “that’s troubling.”
“It’s very concerning and distressing, and I think I appreciate the real distress that causes for patients out there affected by this,” Healey advised reporters. “We are working closely with our secretary of Health and Human Services, who has already reached out to learn more information about what is going on, and what can be done to ensure that patients continue with care. That continuum of care is so, so important.”
Healey stated her workplace has been in contact with the Attorney General’s Office, including that Compass Medical is a doctor’s group, which suggests it isn’t licensed by the state. A spokesperson for the Executive Office of Health and Human Services stated the administration is “concerned” by stories of the closure.
A spokesperson for Attorney General Andrea Campbell stated the workplace is gathering info on the closure and is in “close communication” with the Healey administration.
“Affected consumers and patients are encouraged to contact the AG’s office to share their concerns,” the spokesperson stated.
Compass Medical has services in Brockton, South Weymouth, Attleboro, Dorchester, Milton, Taunton, North Easton, Bridgewater, and Stoughton, amongst different locations.
“After a steady stream of challenges, we were ultimately forced to make the devastating decision to close all offices of Compass Medical PC. effective immediately,” the assertion stated. “There is no good way to share this news. We are heartbroken and truly sorry as we know the unprecedented impact on our valued patients.”
In a Thursday assertion, Compass Medical Board President Dr. Bruce Weinstein stated “most” physicians on the firm will proceed to offer medical care of their native communities as a part of different practices. Medical information might be preserved and accessible pursuant to federal and state laws, the assertion stated.
“Compass will be updating the website regularly with information on how patients can contact their physician in their new practice setting and how they can obtain access to their medical records,” Weinstein stated.
It was not instantly clear what number of physicians labored at Compass Medical, and a spokesperson for the state Board of Registry in Medicine, which licenses physicians in Massachusetts, didn’t instantly return a request for remark.
The closure comes after a jury ordered Compass Medical to pay $16.4 million to Dallas-based Steward Medical Group following a Fall 2022 multi-day trial in Suffolk County Superior Court, in accordance with courtroom information. Steward Medical Group owned Quincy Medical Center, which closed in 2020.
Compass Medical initially sued Steward Medical Group in 2017, accusing the Dallas firm of failing to present incentive funds to Compass docs and failing to “make rental payments for office space and for medical equipment leased by compass on SMG’s behalf,” the lawsuit stated.
But the jury as an alternative sided with Steward Medical Group, discovering that Compass Medical engaged in a breach of contract, intentional misrepresentation, negligent misrepresentation, and unjust enrichment, in accordance with a jury verdict kind dated October 2022.
The case standing is listed as open as of Thursday and a courtroom listening to was final held on April 27, in accordance with courtroom information.
A spokesperson for Steward Health Care — the mum or dad firm of Steward Medical Group — stated Compass Medical misplaced a $16.4 million verdict, was discovered responsible, and convicted on 10 counts of fraud.
“Compass has not paid Steward any part of that claim and has nothing to do with them going bankrupt,” the spokesperson stated. “… We perceive how troublesome that is for the group, within the wake of the fireplace at Signature Healthcare Brockton Hospital, the anticipated closure of Compass Medical will create much more restrictions on entry to take care of sufferers.
The Steward Health Care spokesperson stated the corporate is planning a collection of job gala’s over the subsequent week to assist Compass Medical clinicians and staff discover jobs “that allow them to continue to serve their patients in the local community.”
Source: www.bostonherald.com”